Thomas Turner

In the morning at work in my garden. Drew off in the forenoon 2 barrels of cider, and a-corking of it broke a bottle and cut one of my fingers prodigiously with it… Mr Richard Comber and Charles Diggens drank tea with us. The finger which I cut in the morning bled to such a degree that I tried all possible means to staunch it but could not till I applied to Mrs Porter for some styptic. Thomas Davy at our house in the evening, to whom I read 2 of Tillotson’s sermons…

Took physic today. At work in my garden all the forenoon, Rec’d of Mrs Atkin’s 7/8 in full… In the afternoon borrowed a horse of Mr Burgess to go to Lewes upon for things for the funeral of Mr Richard Goldsmith, widower, late of this parish, but died this morning at the house of Master Gladman at Laughton and was aged 80 years. I accordingly set out for Lewes about 4:45 and came home about 8:10 without ever eating or drinking or being off my horse. I spent 2½d for the turnpike etc.

My mother’s servant came over in the morning, who breakfasted with us. Just as we were at dinner, Sam Hunt and John Wickham of Wadhurst came in, who dined with us on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. At home all day. Joseph Fuller smoked a pipe with us in the evening. Read part of Locke on Education.

About 4:20 in the morning Master Durrant and I set out on foot for Lewes (today being the visitation at Lewes) where I arrived about 6:30, Master Durrant going to Ashcombe. I breakfasted with my brother at his lodgings.

About 11 o’clock we went to St Michael’s church, the visitation sermon being preached there. The service was read by the Rev Mr Bristed, clergyman at Slaugham, and the sermon was preached by the Rev Mr Jeffries, vicar of Ditchling. The text in Matthew 11:5: “The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached unto them.” After churchtime and the clergy were all called over, I was sworn into my office of churchwarden (with a great many more), for which I paid 4/6.

I dined at the White Horse with 16 persons more on a knuckle of veal, bacon and greens boiled, a leg of lamb boiled and spinach, a rib of beef roasted and green salad and two pond currant puddings (my family at home dining on the best end of the shoulder of veal roasted in the oven with a batter pudding under it).

After dinner we sat and smoked one pipe, and then I met with Mr Harraden with whom I smoked another at the White Horse. I drank tea with my brother in company with Mr Tucker and Will Bennett. I came home about 9:10, thank God very safe and sober. Mr Thomas Scrase brought me going on my road home as far as Ringmer Green, and my brother and Mr Tucker as far as the Broyle gate. I spent today as under, half a crown of which I am to be allowed by the parish:

In the morning before breakfast 1 pt of beer	0.0.1½
At the White Horse with Mr French and Mrs Stemp	0.0.9
To my dinner	0.1.0
After dinner	0.0.7
With Mr Harraden and Mr Tanner	0.0.6
With my brother and Mr Tucker at the White Horse	0.0.1½
To mending a pair of buttons	0.0.3
	0.3.4
Allowed	0.2.6
Spent on my own account	0.0.10

I called to see Thomas Scrase and Will Bennett. This visitation was held by the Rev Dr D’Oyly, archdeacon of this diocese, who tendered the oath to the churchwardens.

Took physic today. Paid Mr Heaver’s servant, the miller at Isfield, in cash 2.1.0, being in full (4d excepted) for a sack of flour received by him today… In the evening Mr Elless and I walked down to Sinden’s. Came home about 8:15. In the evening Mr Elless read one of Tillotson’s to us. This day received of Mr French 1 hundred of very indifferent house faggots.

Our maid and two boys at church in the morning. Myself and wife neither at church partly on the account of my being bleeded just as they were a-going to church and partly on account of my wife’s being not very well. We dined on a knuckle of veal boiled, a piece of pork and a plain rice pudding. Myself, wife and the two boys at church in the afternoon (our servant going to Laughton Church)… After we had drank tea, we walked down to Whyly where we stayed till near 9 o’clock. Came home and read one of Tillotson’s sermons, and also read 2 in the day.

At home all day; at work in my garden… Just as we had rot up from dinner, my uncle Hill came in, who dined at our house (on some mutton steaks) and stayed till near four o’clock… In the evening read one of Tillotson’s sermons, and in the day part of Locke upon Education.

At home all day; worked in my garden great part of it. Posted my day book. We dined on some boiled carp, a piece of pork, a gooseberry pudding and some potatoes… In the evening read one of Tillotson’s sermons, and in some part of the day read part of Locke on Education

At home all day and took physic. Posted part of my day book and worked in my garden… Paid the gardener at Halland l6d in full for 4 gallons gooseberries received today. Mr Elless and James Marchant took up each a suit of clothes. Mr Elless drank tea with us. Thomas Cornwell this day made me a present of 3 small carp, for which I gave him goods to the amount of 5d. In the evening read one of Tillotson’s sermons, and in the day part of Locke on Education... Gave 6d to the brief which was read on Sunday.

In the morning myself and two boys walked up to Mr Vine’s and looked at his wool which I have agreed to take and give him the most I can afford for it. At work great part of the forenoon in my garden a-transplanting lettuce… Mrs Atkins, Mrs Plumer, Mrs French, Miss Walker and Molly French drank tea with my wife. Miss Walker, Molly French and Mrs French stayed and played at cards with us until near 10 o’clock. My wife and I, according to custom, lost; viz., 10d. Paid the gardener at Halland 2/8 for peas which I sold for him.